Mary Ellen (Hall) Bishop

Mary Ellen (Hall) Bishop passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Giving Tree Senior Living in Dracut, MA, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Mary was born in Springfield, MA, on March 4, 1932, a daughter of the late Andrew Hall and Angelina (Leonesio) Hall Lind. Mary’s early life was full of struggle. Growing up during the Depression and war years in a single-parent household, she left school after eighth grade to earn money to help her family. One of her proudest moments came when she went “back to school” and received her GED in 1980. In her late teens, she agreed to teach her best friend’s brother to dance in exchange for driving lessons, and a love that lasted a lifetime began. Mary and “Bud” (Gordon) Bishop were married on March 28, 1951, and celebrated 53 years together before his death in 2004. They spent the early years of their married life in their hometown of West Springfield, MA. In 1968, they moved to southern New Hampshire for a better job opportunity for Bud and remained there until his death. They bought a cottage on Franklin Pierce Lake in Hillsboro, NH, and spent many happy years entertaining a large circle of friends and a growing circle of family as the grandkids came along. Eventually, they became “snowbirds,” spending winters in Apollo Beach, Florida, golfing with friends and enjoying the sunshine. In addition to being a homemaker, Mary always worked outside the home in food service or as a substitute teacher. She was a social person and always up for a card game, dominoes, and Bingo—just be sure to let her win! In her 40s, she learned to golf and had a great short game. One of her well-known sayings was, “Drive for show, putt for dough.” Another was, “You’re out of the will,” said with a grin. Mary also learned to paint in oil and acrylic, and we all have her beautiful artwork in our homes. She loved listening to live music and singing along, finding treasures at second-hand stores, and anything Italian. If she had a theme song, it would be the Frank Sinatra classic “My Way.” And she did it “her way” for 94 years! Mary is survived by her three daughters: the Rev. Laura Bishop Goodwin and her husband, Todd, of Fitchburg, MA; Julia Bishop of Cambridge, MA; and Barbara Bishop and her husband, Richard Magargee, of Newport, NH. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Adam Goodwin and his wife, Beth, of Fitchburg; Imani Bishop and his wife, Glenda, of Braintree, MA; Andrew Goodwin and his fiancée, Kristin Sweeney, of Fitchburg, MA; Ethan Bishop of Falmouth, MA; and Caitlin Bishop of Hillsboro, NH. Mary was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Juliana Bishop, Ieleigh Barton, Adrian Bishop, and James Goodwin. She is also survived by her niece, Diana Sperrazza of New York City, and nephews Michael Sperrazza of West Springfield, MA, and Mark Sperrazza of Bremerton, WA. Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gordon, in 2004. She was also predeceased by her stepfather, Melvin Lind; her brother, Edmund Hall; and her stepsister, Jayne Lind Meyers. Mary’s “Irish twin” sister, Wilhelmina Hall, died just three weeks before her at the age of 95. The family would like to thank the staff at Giving Tree Senior Living in Dracut and her medical team at Fallon Summit Eldercare in Lowell for their wonderful, compassionate care for Mary in her final years. Funeral services will be held privately. The Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon St., Fitchburg, is assisting the family.

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Mary Ellen (Hall) Bishop

March 4, 1932 - June 6, 2026